Real film aspect ratio

[turbotalon]

After reading all the guides, AND endlessly searching the forums, I still am a little confused. If 1.85:1 is the real film aspect ratio, meaning the actual film is the same shape, then how do they make the 2.35:1 DVD's? do they cut off some of the top and bottom, or do they use a completely different film?

Thanks to everybody in advance, and I apologize if this same topic has already been covered, I did my best to search and I couldn't find anything similar.

Mike

[DJ Bobo]

There is 1,85:1 movies, 2,35:1 movies, 1,33:1 movies, 1,78:1 movies, etc

[jggimi]

They use letterboxing.

Today's DVDs use one of two resolutions: PAL are 720x576, and NTSC are 720x480. That's it. In addition, whether PAL or NTSC, DVD's are designed for playback in either of 2 aspect ratios: 4:3 (1.33:1) and 16:9 (1.78:1).

Films are made in all sorts of aspect ratios. Letterboxing is used to restore the image to it's intended aspect ratio, regardless which display aspect ratio the DVD is authored with. And yes, there are lots "widescreen" letterboxed films which are transferred to 4:3 DVDs.

[turbotalon]

But I am looking at the actual area of the video: after stretching etc, the actual size of the picture. A 1.85:1 dvd will fill up a 16:9 tv just about right, but need black bars on top and botttom on a regular, 4:3 tv. A 2.35:1 dvd, on the other hand will have black bars on the top and bottom on a 16:9 tv, and really big black bars on a 4:3 tv. If the 1.85:1 fills up a 'widscreen' tv better, how and why do they make 2.35:1 DVD's?

[turbotalon]

Originally posted by DJ Bobo
There is 1,85:1 movies, 2,35:1 movies, 1,33:1 movies, 1,78:1 movies, etc

does that mean the film industry uses film with different aspect ratios? that doesn't seem right somehow.

[turbotalon]

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/anamorphic/page2.html#demos

this thread seems to help, but he doesn't come right out and say "studios use different types of film that result in different aspect ratios of movies." is this tru?

[DJ Bobo]

Yes, the industry uses different aspect ratios!
Everyone makes his movie as he wants! this one wants it 4:3, the other wants 16:9 and the other one wants 2,35:1.

[jggimi]

Cinerama - 3:1, 2.77:1, 2.75:1, and 2.59:1
CinemaScope - 2.66:1, 2.55:1,and 2.35:1
VistaVision - 1.96:1, 1.85:1, and 1.66:1
Todd-AO - 2.35:1, 2.20:1
Technirama - variable
Panavision - 2.35:1 and 1.85:1
Ultra Panavision 70 - 2.76:1
Super 35 - 2.35:1

I'm sure there are many, many others.

[turbotalon]

it all makes sense now! Thanks a million!

mike